Kirin J Callinan – “Embracism”

Kirin J Callinan - Embracism

Kirin J Callinan – “Embracism”

Kirin J Callinan - Embracism

If you want something a little out of the ordinary, please meet Kirin J Callinan, a man whose Embracism has been highly anticipated around here since he delivered one of our 10 Favorite Sets Of CMJ 2012. The record will be out this summer via Terrible Records (in conjunction with XL), and if it is anything like the title track posted below, it’s going to be an erratic-feeling but laser focused swoop of genre and gender studies, and probably uphold the mouthful of exuberance I issued in Kirin’s direction after his stunning Glasslands set:

Salient features: a tank top that eventually came off; a semi-circle of effects pedals that looped, reverbed, backmasked, and phased his guitar strangulations; a coiled and awkward theatricality that was self-possessed and vulnerable and totally visceral. Callinan’s voice is tuneful and halting — psychobilly-redolent stuff with an operatic air. Callinan’s persona frames a nervy and curdling yet endearing charisma you can’t take your eyes from, the sort you feel comfortable laughing with but not comfortable letting your young ones near. The music was rarely conventional, mostly experimental, like Scott Walker with a thing for stomp boxes and Lux Interior and Nick Cave. People won’t like it; the rest will love it.

If that sounds good, this is your jam:

Kirin J Callinan – “Embracism”

Embracism is out 7/2 via Terrible.

5/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ 285 Kent (w/ Pure X)
6/06 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza *
6/08 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street (Downstairs)*
6/09 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer*
6/10 – Washington DC @ U Street Music Hall*
6/11 – Baltimore, MD @ Otto Bar*
6/14 – Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall*
6/15 – New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s*
6/16 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Downstairs*
6/17 – Dallas, TX @ Trees*
6/18 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk*
6/20 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress*
6/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ First Unitarian Church*

* w/ Ariel Pink

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